Team Work: Banat 99’s State Championship

Almost a year ago, Fury had the opportunity to start working with the Banat Gold ’99 soccer team. This group of young men is no ordinary youth soccer club. They are a dominant force in Arizona, the Southwest Region and the United States. They are the defending Arizona State Cup Champions and have been ranked as high as fourth in the nation this season.

The relationship with the club began last year following their regional tournament. Unfortunately, a squad from California defeated the boys but it only served to light the fire for this year. We were more than happy to make members of this squad some of our initial Breathe Later Foundation Scholarship Athletes, as they represent the ideal student athlete by balancing a demanding travel soccer schedule and class work. Several of the scholarship athletes boast above 3.5 GPAs, proving they have what it takes regardless of what comes their way.

During our time together, we have seen the boys take off, in and out of the gym. They have refined their skills and have taken to our brand of unique fitness extremely well. On a typical Wednesday night at Fury, you walk into the gym and are blown away by the dedication and discipline of an outstanding group of 13-year-old men squat cleaning, box jumping, and basically destroying WODs like professionals. These young men have been working their tails off with an eye on revenge this season. All year long we have worked with the goal of defending the Arizona State Cup and winning the Regional Championship in our eyes.

The march continues on this weekend, as Fury’s own Banat Gold takes on the state semifinals and finals this Saturday and Sunday in Casa Grande. It has been amazing to work with this caliber of young men. They inspire me to train that much harder to keep up with the next generation of Bomb Squad athletes!!!! It will be a pleasure next week to be able to introduce myself as the strength and conditioning coach of the three time defending Arizona State Cup Champions. Go Banat!!!!!!!